A Prayer for Owen Meany

By: John Irving

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 27 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)

Of all of John Irving's books, this is the one that lends itself best to audio. In print, Owen Meany's dialogue is set in capital letters; for this production, Irving himself selected Joe Barrett to deliver Meany's difficult voice as intended.

In the summer of 1953, two 11-year-old boys – best friends – are playing in a Little League baseball game in Gravesend, New Hampshire. One of the boys hits a foul ball that kills the other boy's mother. The boy who hits the ball doesn't believe in accidents; Owen Meany believes he is God's instrument. What happens to Owen after that 1953 foul ball is extraordinary and terrifying.

As an added bonus, when you purchase our Audible Modern Vanguard production of John Irving's book, you'll also get an exclusive Jim Atlas interview that begins when the audiobook ends.

Why we think it's a great listen: For 20 years, John Irving believed that his ambitious novel could never be adequately executed in audio – and then he met narrator Joe Barrett.... In the summer of 1953, two 11-year-old boys - best friends - are playing in a Little League baseball game in Gravesend, New Hampshire. One of the boys hits a foul ball that kills the other boy's mother. The boy who hits the ball doesn't believe in accidents; Owen Meany believes he is God's instrument.

This production is part of our Audible Modern Vanguard line, a collection of important works from groundbreaking authors.

©1989 Garp Enterprises Ltd (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This moving book comes across like a concerto in this audio version, with a soloist—Owen's voice—rising from the background of an orchestral narration. This book, one of the finest of its time, gets the narration that it deserves." ( AudioFile)

“John Irving, who writes novels in the unglamorous but effective way Babe Ruth used to hit home runs, deserves a medal not only for writing this book but for the way he has written it. . . . A Prayer for Owen Meany is a rare creation in the somehow exhausted world of late twentieth-century fiction—it is an amazingly brave piece of work . . . so extraordinary, so original, and so enriching. . . . Readers will come to the end feeling sorry to leave [this] richly textured and carefully wrought world.” (Stephen King)

"Roomy, intelligent, exhilarating, and darkly comic...Dickensian in scope....Quite stunning and very ambitious." ( Los Angeles Times Book Review)

Loved this book!

My pastor sited this book in a sermon. Being a third generation Methodist raised in a Catholic town contributed to my love. Well written!!

Waiting for the sad part….

My sister recommended. She said she bawled her eyes out. I listened to the whole thing waiting for a sad part. I thought, geez, maybe I’m a cold, heartless b&$!@. But alas the very last of the very last chapter hit hard and had me bawling like a baby.

Highly recommend.

Long But Good

I do not at all agree w/ the reviewers that claim this is a "must listen!" This is a very particular type of story and certainly not for everyone. That being said, it was a very entertaining story and I did find myself drawn in by the story and many of the characters; I grew up in New England not long after this story though, and partially I think that accounts for much of my interest. I would say that the major draw-back is John Irving's overly, overly long digressions abut political info. or books the characters are reading that have no bearing on the main story whatsoever. several hours of this boring stuff could have been lopped off and the story wouldn't have changed one bit. otherwise, a totally original and very interesting read.

A wonderful story

Excellent narration of a difficult subject - how to reproduce "The Voice" of Owen Meany - it could have been irritating but Joe Barrett has succeeded in making it believable.
John Irving has everything in this story - growing up, family life, tragedy, mystery, politics, religion, faith and humour.
I love this book.

A Perfect Confluence of Narration and Writing.

I savored every moment of this book. Yes, it's long, but you are listening to the work a master craftsman and it's read to you by Joe Barrett who absolutely nails it. It is also about religion and predestination and I am not at all a religious person. But the story is a great examination on religion or what makes us religious. I was at first put off by the opening chapter and the narrator's easy familiarity with his religion. But while the story at first sounds like an endorsement on religion it reveals itself otherwise as the many elements of the characters and the story unfold. There is a great undercurrent of humor and irony though out this religious examination that made the story compelling to me.
In listening to John Irving's interview at the end, he says his premise for writing the book was to ask, "What would it take to believe in God? What would you have to witness before you could be a believer?" The character of Owen Meany and his story challenge us with that premise. Enjoy the ride.

Not written - crafted... exquisitely!

Recently read Cidar House Rules, which was a difficult read, due to the content... but I found myself trapped by the writing. I really wanted a John Irving book to read, without as much graphic content. It would be a lie to say it isn't here... but this is PG 13 verses the R of Cider House Rules. I read that John Irving writes his last sentence first and builds backwards to know where the books should start... it is like a finely crafted building. Along the way you may forget a detail that didn't get resolved... but that piece is being held in researve and will be in place by the end - no gingerbread trim here either... if it is written, there is a reason. A Prayer for Owen Meany is rich, complex and full of unforgetable characters. The reading could have been awful, given the challenge of Owen's voice... I enjoyed it. You will experience every human emotion. I will say, that although the profanity was less in this book, several characters have colorful language and I did get sick of them in my ear. Although you are hurtling towards the expected end... it is so unexpected. This will probably be my last John Irving book... but it is a keeper and I will reread again.

Epic

One of the best. Uplifting. Intriguing. Makes one think. Couldn't wait to hear the next chapter.

Outstanding

I LOVED this book. I have many many audio books. This has got to be one of the best ever...I have just finished it and I am already missing Owen and the other characters. Engrossing, and life affirming, I can not recommend enough........

Absolute Genius!

A Prayer For Owen Meany, although set in the 50"s through the 80's, has undercurrents and messages that are certainly applicable to today. Irving tells the story beautifully in first-person, through his protagonist, John Wheelwright. The cast of characters, quirky and flawed, is so clearly drawn. The flaws make the human and believable. I will miss these characters for quite some time

HILARIOUS NARRATION

I just finished this and Ill tell you, it was hard to finish the book BEFORE writing the review.The narration alone is worth the cost of admission. Sometimes its hard to imagine just reading the book when you get narration like this. Barrett does an amazing job of the voices of Owen and the grandmother.I often found myself laughing out-loud

. The book lags a bit in the middle, and for me it would have been much better if it was tightened up,.but its worth persevering to get to the end, which is very good. All in all its a rich rewarding read involving every emotion.

John Irving is BRILLIANT at exploring people, lives, and time periods from his utterly rich, unique,and mature vantage point .No one writes like him, or could write like him for that matter. I think he is a very brave writer who is willing to take great chances with his story's. What transpires from his brilliance, courage and originality is always something very special and worthy of your time. His books make the best book club selections because there are so many layers and areas to explore. The smarter you are, the more you will get out of his work.
SPOILER ALERT= DONT LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW THAT COMES WITH THIS PURCHASE TILL YOUR FINISHED READING THE BOOK.
As a side note, I enjoyed the fact that parts of the book take place in Toronto, since that's where I live .